1/13/10

Amnesty International Stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill!

A proposed bill storming through Uganda's parliament is one of the most severe pieces of anti-homosexuality legislation in the entire world! If passed, it would establish an alarming precedent that would virtually annihilate the human rights of Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population.Stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill!

In October 2009, Parliamentarian David Bahati introduced draconian legislation in Uganda that would make "any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex" punishable by prison or even death. The bill even takes aim at those offering protection or support to any lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person by instituting harsh prison sentences of up to 7 years.

If the Ugandan Parliament chooses to endorse this hateful legislation, it would be responsible for depriving countless Ugandans of their human rights as well as placing LGBT people throughout the world at significantly greater risk.

The vote on this bill could happen as soon as the end of this month, so we've got to act fast.

Fortunately, momentum to fight Uganda's egregious bill has already started building in Washington. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is spearheading a joint Congressional letter that will be sent to Uganda's President urging him to put an end to this discrimination. We need all U.S. Representatives to unite in opposition to codify persecution and discrimination in Uganda. Urge your Representative to sign-on to stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.We fear that the negative consequences sparked from the passage of such irresponsible legislation will not stop at Uganda's borders, but will reverberate throughout the rest of Africa and even the world. Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda! Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda!